Ashes series to feature extra DRS reviews after ICC give approval

Australia and England will be granted additional reviews during the forthcoming Ashes series as part of a change to the controversial Decision Review System (DRS).

At a meeting of the International Cricket Council's (ICC) chief executives' committee in Dubai, officials agreed the number of reviews will be "topped-up" to two after 80 overs of a Test innings.

Currently, teams are only permitted a maximum of two unsuccessful reviews per innings.

The new playing conditions will be trialled from October 1, meaning they will be in force for the Ashes, which begin with the first Test in Brisbane starting on November 21.

Wednesday's statement from the ICC came after England's recent 3-0 Ashes series win at home to Australia was beset by numerous rows over the use of DRS, with both sides unhappy at different times.

ICC took the highly unusual step of sending their general manager of cricket Geoff Allardice over to England to meet the teams midway through the series in a bid to address their concerns.

One repeated complaint centred around the third umpire's use of DRS and the way in which the replay official interpreted their remit, while another problem area focused on the reliability of the Hotspot thermal imaging device in detecting thin nicks.

In response to these issues, and a technology trial conducted during the third Ashes Test at Manchester's Old Trafford ground, the ICC says it will set up a working group to look at ways of improving both DRS and the training of umpires.

Meanwhile, two white balls - one from each end - will continue to be used during a one-day international innings although this will be reduced to one ball when matches are cut to fewer than 25 overs in the first innings.